IRAQ – A US Central Command spokesman has highlighted the quick thinking and selflessness of a US Navy sailor this week. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mick O’Connor narrowly averted tragedy after a small Marine element sustained a casualty during an ambush by ISIS fighters on the outskirts of Erbil, the spokesman said. O’Connor sprang into action, “heroically extracting” a pack of Skittles from the carnage.

“Burton had taken one to the leg, so I applied a stop-gap with my knee and opened up his IFAK to grab a tourniquet,” said O’Connor. “There was blood everywhere, but I’d recognize the sanguine red of a Skittles bag anywhere.”

Sources confirmed that O’Connor himself was struck by a hail of euphoria while tending to the wounded Marine, but shook off the shock of finding a quintessential piece of American childhood unscathed in a raging warzone half a world away.

“It all happened so fast,” said Cpl. Stephen Tressler, who witnessed the daring rescue. “Even above all the gunfire, I could hear Doc crying out, ‘Oh Jesus! Jesus Christ!’”

Triumphantly waving the packet of assorted, brightly-colored, fruit-flavored confectionery pellets in the air, O’Connor leapt for joy as his comrades broke out in a jubilant cheer while ISIS forces retreated.

A later inspection of Burton’s IFAK additionally revealed two Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls, one pack of Gushers, one roll of Fruit by the Foot, one can of Copenhagen Wintergreen and a bottle of 5-Hour Energy.

Burton is listed in stable condition, but has been downgraded to Dental Class 4.